CongressmanBob Goodlatte

Press Releases

Goodlatte Supports Bill to Protect Probation Officers

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Probation Officer Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 1039), introduced by Congressman David Reichert (R-Wash.), by a vote of 229-177. This bill, which is a product of the House Judiciary Committee, protects public safety by giving probation officers the authority, while in the performance of their official duties, to arrest a person if there is probable cause to believe that the person has forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, or interfered with the probation officer, or a fellow probation officer, in the performance of his or her duties.

Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on today’s House vote:

“Probation officers have an inherently dangerous job as they carry out their responsibilities every day. The Probation Officer Protection Act is a common sense bill to ensure that these dedicated men and women have the necessary authorities to undertake their duties safely and effectively. Congressman Reichert should be commended for his leadership on this legislation, and I urge the Senate to take up this bill so that we enhance the safety of both the public and probation officers.”